You have two distinct routes, and confusing them is common. First, the Retired Non-Citizen permit: open to those aged 50 and over, it requires an ongoing transfer of funds into Mauritius of USD 1,500 per month (or USD 18,000 per year), and the initial permit runs for 10 years — crucially, it does not require you to buy a property. Second, the residence-by-property-investment route: a USD 375,000 approved-scheme purchase grants residency and is open at any age. A retiree can choose either path depending on their wealth profile — the retirement permit for income-based residence without buying, or the property route to combine a home with residence. Confirm current criteria with the EDB and the Passport & Immigration Office.
Route A: the Retired Non-Citizen permit (no purchase required)
The Retired Non-Citizen permit is designed specifically for older applicants who want to reside in Mauritius on their own income. The qualifying conditions are an age of 50 or above and a commitment to transfer funds into a Mauritian bank account of at least USD 1,500 per month, equivalent to USD 18,000 per year. The initial permit is granted for a generous ten years, giving retirees a long, stable horizon. The defining feature — and the point most often missed — is that this route does not require you to buy any property: it is an income-based residence permit, not a real-estate scheme.
This makes Route A attractive for retirees who prefer to rent, who want to test living in Mauritius before committing capital, or whose wealth is income-generating rather than tied up in a lump sum for a villa. It keeps the residence decision separate from the property decision. Naturally, the ongoing transfer requirement must be maintained to keep the permit in good standing, and the exact figures and documentation should be confirmed with the Passport & Immigration Office for your circumstances.
Route B: residence by property investment (any age)
The alternative is the residence-by-investment route covered in our residency question: purchasing an approved-scheme property for USD 375,000 or more confers a residence permit tied to ownership, and it is open at any age — not just to the over-50s. For a retiree who wants to own a Mauritian home and secure residence in a single step, this route packages both together, and the residence right persists for as long as the qualifying property is held, with family included.
Choosing between the two comes down to profile. A retiree living on pension or investment income who does not want to lock up capital may prefer the Retired Non-Citizen permit (Route A); one who wants a permanent Indian Ocean home and is comfortable investing at least USD 375,000 may prefer the property route (Route B). They are not mutually exclusive over time, and the tax and repatriation points elsewhere in this cluster apply to both. Map your income, your capital and your goals with a Mauritian adviser before choosing, and confirm the current thresholds with the EDB.
Sources
Primary and expert sources behind this answer:
- Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius — Acquisition of Immovable Property by Non-Citizens & Residence Permit guidelines ↗
- Passport & Immigration Office, Mauritius — Residence, retired non-citizen and naturalisation ↗
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Mauritian property, residence, succession and tax rules are technical and change frequently — notably the 1 July 2026 registration-duty change. Every figure and rule here must be confirmed with a Mauritian notary (notaire), a tax adviser (fiscaliste) or a lawyer for your specific situation before you act.
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